Multiaxial hinge and electronic device using the same

Abstract

In order to provide a multiaxial hinge suitably used in an electronic device, such as a notebook PC having a flexible display sheet, and an electronic device using such a multiaxial hinge, the multiaxial hinge is a multiaxial hinge used as attached below a flexible and touch-operable display sheet for opening and closing the first casing and the second casing, the display sheet being attached so as to cover both inner surfaces of the both casings, several hinge shafts are provided, wherein a first bracket attached to the first casing and a second bracket attached to the second casing are coupled together via several coupling parts, and a synchronous rotation unit, a stopper and a friction unit either all in cooperation or one independently from other are provided on each of the hinge shafts, the multiaxial hinge is designed such that a bent portion is formed on the inner surfaces in a closed state of the first casing and the second casing, and that the first casing and the second casing are flush in a fully opened state of the casings.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-171194, filed Sep. 1, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a multiaxial hinge suitably used in an electronic device, such as a notebook PC having a flexible display sheet. The invention further relates to an electronic device using such a multiaxial hinge.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Conventionally, a biaxial hinge which couples a first casing of a notebook PC provided with a display portion and a second casing provided with a keyboard portion such that these casings can open and close relative to each other via a synchronous rotation mechanism is known from JP Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2016-1052. The synchronous rotation mechanism of the known biaxial hinge comprises a first gear and a second gear respectively attached to a first hinge shaft and a second hinge shaft, an intermediate gear provided between a first gear...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The multiaxial hinge design prevents damage to flexible display sheets by allowing synchronized and controlled opening and closing of casings, maintaining a flush state and ensuring efficient operation, thus enhancing the durability and usability of electronic devices with large, flexible displays.

Problems solved by technology

In this case, if the first casing and the second casing are coupled using the conventional hinges as described e.g. in the above-mentioned patent documents, that is JP Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2016-1052, JP Patent Applications Nos. 2016-96374 and 2015-50454, there are problems with flexible and touch operable display sheet of organic EL substrate, etc. being attached to the casings so as to cover the both sides of the hinges that, when they are bent in order to close the first casing and the second casing, they are bent too much so that they easily damage the display sheet of organic EL substrate, etc., and that, if they have rugged surfaces, a force unevenly applied to localized spot(s) on the display sheet during touch input easily causes damages to the display sheet.

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